21st Century Literature discussion
2017 Book Discussions
>
An Officer and a Spy - General Discussion, No Spoilers (April 2017)
date
newest »
newest »
I commented on the part 1 thread, but as a whole I'm finding this book fascinating so far and am very interested in seeing where it is going to go (I'm almost to part 2). I became more interested when I found an interview with Robert Harris speaking about this book and his interest in writing it. So, just curious: is there a movie adaptation of this historical account?
Mod
I am impressed with how much dedication Harris puts into his research and writing. It's a fascinating story.
Caroline wrote: "Hi Frank, when I was looking up reviews for this thread, I saw that Harris co-wrote a script with Roman Polanski. However, the last I saw was that filming was set to begin in 2015 or 2016 and it's ..."Interesting. Maybe it has stalled in production or something. It definitely is a story worthy of telling through another lens, for sure. Harris does seem very well versed on this whole event, and I'm very surprised it hasn't been the basis for other books or films. I'll have to look around a bit and see if I can find something.
Mod
So, I had to take about a week hiatus (unfortunately) from reading this book just because of other obligations, but I'm really loving this book. I'm about 100 pages from finishing and can see the tension heightening more and more. It's crazy to think that this is all the basis for a real historical event and the level of corruption is unthinkable. I'm finding myself so invested in the outcome of this book, and Harris' writing / storytelling is very engaging.
I am almost finished with the book and have a real desire to read more of the non-fiction on this subject. I've gotten more cynical in my old age and believe the corruption was definitely a part of this case.
Mod
Mod
No worries, Hugh! I'd recommend you read it someday because it is a great book!
Caroline wrote: "I finished a few days ago (for my second read through) and am also feeling inclined to read some non-fiction about the book. I haven't read any of Harris' other books but I've heard he's got a few ..."I know. I am heading toward the end of the book and am eagerly seeking other information about this case, and also looking into other Harris novels. A great book so far, and I'm pretty hooked into finding out what happens. I think this is a book that really pulls the reader in and helps them internalize this travesty because you sort of experience this event through Picquart's eyes first hand.
Finished it about a week ago and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it highlights a certain question of ethics and morality when one is put in power. Picquart knows what he is up against....Definitely a brilliant book. I checked it out at the library, so I had to keep renewing it because I wanted to finish it so bad. Anyhow, thanks for nominating this book. I might have missed out on the experience of reading it otherwise.
This book is a fictional retelling of the Dreyfus Affair through the eyes of French Col. Georges Picquart. The author, Robert Harris, is a BBC journalist turned historical fiction writer. This was his first attempt at drawing his characters and scenes from the book entirely from historical figures and events.
I first read the book in 2013 and plowed through it incredibly quickly. I'm enjoying my second read-through and will be curious to see what others think of it.
From what I've heard and read, Harris' retelling of the Dreyfus affair through Picquart's eyes is fairly accurate. What do you think about relying on real events so heavily? I've said we shouldn't post spoilers in this thread, but are there really spoilers when it comes to literature (or movies) based on real life events?
Below are some reviews of the book, most of which do contain "spoilers" about the Dreyfus affair:
NY Times Sunday Book Review
The Guardian
NPR
WSJ - and comments from Robert Harris about writing the book